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Byron Bay claim Australian Boardriders Battle event at Coffs

Australian Boardriders Battle

National Final will take place in Newcastle in February next year

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 October, 2017 - Macauleys Beach, Coffs Harbour - Byron Bay have claimed the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle series event at Coffs Harbour following a tight run to the finish line with rival north coast club Le-Ba (Lennox/Ballina), that saw Byron get the nod by a minuscule 25 point margin.

Anchored by former world number three and Byron Bay club stalwart Danny Wills, Byron were able to take the top spot thanks to a solid showing across the Teams, Skins and Women’s divisions to edge in front of Le-Ba and local club Coffs Harbour, who finished in second and third respectively.

All three clubs have qualified for the National Final which takes place in Newcastle in February next year. Wills attributed the club’s success to the younger generations who were representing the club.

“For the last two years, we’ve bought a pretty young team as I think it’s important to give everyone a go. It’s exciting that way,” said Wills. “It’s been a great day for everyone really and I feel like I’ve just done a triathlon with all the surfing and running as well as the anxiety and ups-and-downs that happen when you hear results or watch heats. It’s intense. There’s such a healthy rivalry between Le-Ba and us and I think it drives both teams. There always beating us, so it’s nice to get one back on them.”

Mitch James from Kingscliff claimed the Milwaukee Heavy Duty Hack award for his consistent approach and critical manoeuvres, which helped carry his club into the final of the Teams division.

The nudie Australian Boardriders Battle Series will involve more than 60 of Australia’s best boardriders clubs in eight state qualifying rounds and will culminate in a National final in NSW in February 2017 for 24 clubs. This weekend’s event will see 8 of the best boardriders clubs in NSW battle it out for a spot in the national final set to run in Newcastle, NSW in February 2018.

The nudie Australian Boardriders Battle is officially sanctioned by the World Surf League (WSL), which allows Australian WSL Championship Tour surfers (men and women) the opportunity to represent their local boardriders club at respective state qualifying events as well as the national final.

The purpose of the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle program is to build the profile and capacity of community boardriders clubs Australia-wide. In the past four years, Surfing Australia has invested over $600,000 into Surfing Australia affiliated boardriders clubs as part of the nudie Australian Boardriders Battle series.

Major sponsors of the 2017/18 series include the naming rights partner nudie and supporting sponsors Oakley, Nikon, Woolworths, Milwaukee, Destination NSW, Newcastle City Council, World Surfaris, World Surf League, mySURF.tv and Surfing Australia.